FDA Audited, Mass Spectrometry Services Company Trusted By Pioneering Biotech For Over 20 Years!

Mass spectrometry analysis is used in various stages of drug development, from discovery to clinical trials. During the discovery phase, mass spectrometry analysis plays a critical role in drug discovery chemistry when thousands of compounds are tested to select the compound with the highest probability of success in becoming a drug candidate for development.

In the preclinical phase, once drug candidates with good bioavailability are selected, additional dose range finding (DRF) studies are performed in various animal species to enable IND filing. These Tox studies require full toxicokinetic analysis for exact measurement of the drug in rodent and non-rodent species. Mass spectrometry analysis coupled with Liquid chromatography can be used for the analysis of drugs from these studies. Some of the companies that offer Mass Spectrometry services include Charles River, Applied Biomics, and Intertek.

Once the drug moves into the clinical phase, mass spectrometry analysis further helps with pharmacokinetic studies related to NDA filing.

Mass spec proteomics service is a mass spectrometry analysis service that studies proteins and peptides in biological samples. Scientists use mass spec proteomics services to identify proteins, quantify their expression, characterize their modifications, and investigate their interactions and functions. Mass spec proteomics services can provide valuable information for drug development or discovery, disease diagnosis, and biomedical research.

HRMS stands for high-resolution mass spectrometry, a type of mass spectrometry that can measure the mass of ions with very high accuracy and precision, usually in the range of parts per million (ppm) or less. Scientists can use HRMS to determine the exact molecular formula and structure of unknown compounds and distinguish between isomers and isotopes. HRMS can also perform qualitative and quantitative analysis of complex mixtures, such as proteomics and metabolomics samples.

Mass spectrometry is used for diverse purposes, such as: – identifying the elements and isotopes of a sample and determining their precise masses and relative abundances – dating geologic samples by measuring the decay of radioactive isotopes – analyzing inorganic and organic chemicals, especially for small amounts of impurities or contaminants – determining the structural formula and sequence of complex organic molecules, such as peptides, proteins, nucleic acids, and carbohydrates – measuring the strength of chemical bonds and the energy required to produce specific ions – identifying the products of ion decomposition and fragmentation – analyzing unknown materials, such as lunar samples, for their chemical and isotopic composition.

The difference between mass spectrometry and mass spectroscopy is that mass spectrometry is a technique that measures the mass-to-charge ratio of ions. In contrast, mass spectroscopy is a broader term that refers to any method that uses electromagnetic radiation to analyze the properties of matter. Mass spectrometry is a type of mass spectroscopy, but not all mass spectroscopy techniques involve ionization and mass separation. For example, infrared (IR) spectroscopy and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy are also types of mass spectroscopy, but they do not use mass spectrometry.

The specific techniques and methodologies used in mass spectrometry analysis services depend on the type of sample, the research question, and the analytical goal. Some of the standard techniques and methods are: – Electrospray ionization (ESI), which creates a fine spray of charged droplets from a liquid sample using a high voltage – Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI) that uses a laser to vaporize and ionize molecules embedded in a solid matrix – Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), which combines a separation technique (GC) with a mass analyzer (MS) to identify and quantify volatile and semi-volatile compounds – Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS), which combines a separation technique (LC) with a mass analyzer (MS) to identify and quantify polar and non-polar compounds – Tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS), which uses two or more mass analyzers in sequence to perform fragmentation and structural analysis of ions – Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry (FT-ICR MS), which uses a strong magnetic field to trap and measure the frequency of ions with very high resolution and accuracy.

The types of samples or compounds that are typically analyzed using mass spec services are diverse and include: – Biological samples, such as blood, urine, saliva, tissue, cells, proteins, peptides, metabolites, lipids, and nucleic acids – Pharmaceutical samples, such as drugs, drug metabolites, impurities, and excipients – Environmental samples, such as water, soil, air, plants, and animals – Forensic samples, such as explosives, drugs, poisons, and DNA – Industrial samples, such as polymers, catalysts, additives, and contaminants – Archaeological samples, such as artifacts, fossils, and isotopes.

When it comes to protein analysis, mass spectrometry offers an invaluable tool for determining molecular weight, sequence, modifications, and interactions. There are two main approaches for protein analysis: top-down and bottom-up. In top-down analysis, intact proteins are ionized and fragmented in the mass spectrometer, enabling the inference of protein structure and composition from the resulting spectra. In bottom-up analysis, proteins are digested into peptides using enzymes, such as trypsin. The peptides are then separated by liquid chromatography and analyzed by mass spectrometry. The resulting peptide sequences are matched to a protein database to identify the proteins and their modifications.

Peptide analysis, on the other hand, involves determining the molecular weight, sequence, composition, and modifications of peptides. Peptides can be ionized using electrospray or matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI) and analyzed by various types of mass analyzers, such as quadrupole, time-of-flight, ion trap, or orbitrap. Different fragmentation methods, such as collision-induced dissociation (CID), electron transfer dissociation (ETD), or higher-energy collisional dissociation (HCD), are employed to generate sequence-specific ions for peptide identification.

And let's not forget about oligonucleotide analysis. Mass spectrometry is invaluable in determining the molecular weight, sequence, composition, and modifications of
oligonucleotides. These short strands of nucleic acids, such as DNA or RNA, can be synthesized or extracted from biological sources. Oligonucleotides can be ionized using electrospray or MALDI and analyzed by various types of mass analyzers, such as quadrupole, time-of-flight, ion trap, or orbitrap. Oligonucleotide fragmentation can be induced by different methods, such as CID, ETD, or in-source decay (ISD), to generate sequence-specific ions that enable accurate identification of the oligonucleotide and its modifications.

A mass spectrometry service company ensures data accuracy, precision, and quality in their analyses by:

• Using validated and standardized protocols and procedures for sample preparation, extraction, and analysis
• Using state-of-the-art equipment and software for mass spectrometry and data processing
• Performing quality assurance checks and quality control on the samples, instruments, and results
• Providing detailed and comprehensive reports and documentation of the methods, results, and interpretations
• Following ethical and professional guidelines and regulations for data security, confidentiality, and integrity.

The process of engaging a mass spec service provider usually works as follows:

• The customer contacts the mass spec service provider and discusses their project requirements, objectives, and expectations
• The mass spec service provider provides a quote and a timeline for the project, as well as a sample submission form and instructions
• The customer submits their samples and any relevant information to the mass spec service provider, following the sample submission guidelines
• The mass spec service provider performs the mass spectrometry analysis and data processing, using the appropriate techniques and methodologies
• The mass spec service provider delivers the results and reports to the customer, along with any recommendations and suggestions for further analysis or interpretation
• The customer reviews the results and reports and provides feedback to the mass spec service provider if needed.

The types of analytical questions or challenges that scientists can address through mass spectrometry services are manifold and include:

• Identifying and quantifying unknown compounds or mixtures in a sample
• Determining the molecular structure and sequence of complex molecules, such as proteins and peptides
• Characterizing the modifications and interactions of biomolecules, such as phosphorylation, glycosylation, and protein-protein interactions
• Profiling the expression and changes of metabolites, lipids, and proteins in biological systems, such as cells, tissues, and organs
• Discovering and validating drug targets and biomarkers for diagnosis and treatment – Testing the safety, efficacy, and quality of therapeutics and formulations
• Detecting and monitoring the presence and levels of pollutants, contaminants, and toxins in environmental samples
• Solving forensic and criminal cases by analyzing evidence, such as fingerprints, hair, and blood – Studying the origin, age, and composition of archaeological and historical materials, such as pottery, paintings, and coins